Reestablishing Worship: Anchoring in God's Presence

 

Summary

In Ezra chapter 3, we witness the return of God's people to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. This return marks a new beginning after a long period of disruption and discouragement. The story emphasizes the importance of gathering for worship, a theme that resonates with us today as we navigate the challenges of modern life. The return to Jerusalem was not just about reclaiming a physical space; it was about reestablishing a place where God's name would be exalted, and His presence would be known. This is the calling of the church today, to be a place where God's people gather, His name is exalted, and His presence is experienced.

Ezra focuses on three key elements: the altar, the feast, and the temple, all central to the worship of God's people. The altar represents offering ourselves to God, a daily act of worship that strengthens us to face our fears. The feast, particularly the Feast of Booths, is about rejoicing in what God has done, renewing our joy and strength. The temple signifies the promise of God's presence, reminding us that even when we don't see miraculous signs, God is with us, and His Spirit remains in our midst.

Worship is not just a ritual; it is a profound act of offering ourselves to God, rejoicing in His works, and trusting in His presence. It is through worship that we find the strength to face our fears, the joy to sustain our work, and the hope to endure until our faith is turned to sight. In times of fear, overwhelming tasks, or discouragement, worship becomes our anchor, reminding us that we are God's people, and He is our God.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Gathering for Worship: Gathering for worship is crucial because it fulfills God's purpose for His people to exalt His name and experience His presence. In a time when online worship has become common, it's vital to remember that physical gathering holds a unique significance in God's plan. [02:02]

2. Offering Ourselves to God: The altar symbolizes offering ourselves to God, a daily act that strengthens us to face our fears. When fear grips us, offering ourselves to God in worship assures us of His presence and our identity as His people. [12:21]

3. Rejoicing in God's Works: The Feast of Booths teaches us to rejoice in what God has done, renewing our joy and strength. Joy in God's past faithfulness sustains us in our present tasks, reminding us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. [18:17]

4. Trusting the Promise of God's Presence: The temple signifies the promise of God's presence, even when we don't see miraculous signs. We walk by faith, trusting that God is with us, and His Spirit remains in our midst, providing hope and assurance. [32:38]

5. Worship as an Anchor in Life's Challenges: Worship is our anchor in times of fear, overwhelming tasks, or discouragement. It reminds us of our identity in Christ, renews our joy, and strengthens our hope until our faith is turned to sight. [37:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - The Return to Jerusalem
- [00:48] - Importance of Gathering for Worship
- [02:02] - Worship as a Priority
- [03:30] - The Altar: Offering Ourselves to God
- [06:36] - Significance of Burnt Offerings
- [09:38] - Facing Fear Through Worship
- [13:37] - The Feast: Rejoicing in God's Works
- [15:55] - Joy as Strength
- [18:17] - Sustaining Work Through Joy
- [21:23] - The Temple: Promise of God's Presence
- [23:47] - Anticipation of God's Glory
- [26:22] - Delayed Thanksgiving
- [29:57] - Disappointment and God's Presence
- [35:26] - Trusting God's Promise in Disappointment
- [37:32] - Worship as an Anchor in Life's Challenges

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ezra 3:1-13
2. Romans 12:1
3. Nehemiah 8:10

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the three key elements of worship that Ezra focused on when the people returned to Jerusalem? ([04:47])

2. How did the people of Israel respond to their fears upon returning to Jerusalem, according to Ezra 3? ([09:38])

3. What was the significance of the Feast of Booths for the returning exiles, and how did it relate to their current experience? ([15:55])

4. How did the older men react to the foundation of the new temple, and why did they respond this way? ([27:22])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might gathering for worship in a physical space be significant for believers today, as it was for the Israelites returning to Jerusalem? ([02:02])

2. In what ways does offering ourselves to God, as symbolized by the altar, help us face our fears today? ([12:21])

3. How does rejoicing in God's past works, as seen in the Feast of Booths, provide strength for our present tasks? ([18:17])

4. What does the promise of God's presence, symbolized by the temple, mean for believers who may not see miraculous signs today? ([32:38])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own worship practices. How can you prioritize gathering with others to worship God, even when online options are more convenient? ([02:02])

2. When fear or anxiety grips you, what practical steps can you take to offer yourself to God and find strength in His presence? ([12:21])

3. Think of a time when you experienced God's faithfulness. How can you intentionally celebrate and remember these moments to sustain your joy and strength? ([18:17])

4. In what ways can you cultivate a sense of God's presence in your daily life, even when you don't see miraculous signs? ([32:38])

5. How can worship serve as an anchor for you during overwhelming tasks or discouragement? What specific worship practices can you incorporate into your routine? ([37:32])

6. Consider the areas in your life where you might be delaying thanksgiving. How can you practice gratitude for what God has already done, even if there is still much to be accomplished? ([26:36])

7. How can you encourage others in your community to trust in God's presence and promises, especially during times of disappointment or unmet expectations? ([35:26])

Devotional

Day 1: The Sacredness of Gathering Together
Gathering for worship is a profound act that fulfills God's purpose for His people to exalt His name and experience His presence. In a world where online worship has become prevalent, the physical gathering of believers holds a unique and irreplaceable significance. It is in these gatherings that the church becomes a living testimony of God's kingdom on earth, a place where His presence is tangibly felt and His name is collectively exalted. The act of coming together in worship is not merely a tradition but a divine calling that strengthens the community of believers and reaffirms their identity as God's people. [02:02]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you prioritize gathering with fellow believers this week, and what steps can you take to encourage others to join you in worship?


Day 2: Daily Surrender at the Altar
The altar in Ezra's time symbolized the offering of oneself to God, a daily act of worship that empowers believers to face their fears. In today's context, this act of surrender is crucial for spiritual growth and resilience. By offering ourselves to God each day, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His presence into our lives. This daily surrender is a powerful reminder of our identity as His people, providing assurance and strength in times of fear and uncertainty. [12:21]

Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: What fears are you currently facing, and how can you offer them to God today as an act of worship and trust?


Day 3: Celebrating God's Faithfulness
The Feast of Booths was a time of rejoicing in God's past works, renewing the joy and strength of His people. This celebration serves as a reminder that joy in God's faithfulness sustains us in our present tasks. By reflecting on what God has done, we find renewed strength and motivation to continue our work with joy. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging nature of God's goodness and faithfulness. [18:17]

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection: Take a moment to recall a specific instance of God's faithfulness in your life. How can this memory inspire joy and strength in your current situation?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Unseen Presence
The temple in Ezra's time signified the promise of God's presence, even when miraculous signs were not visible. This assurance is vital for believers today, as it encourages us to walk by faith, trusting that God is with us even when we cannot see Him at work. His Spirit remains in our midst, providing hope and assurance in every circumstance. This trust in God's presence is a cornerstone of our faith, reminding us that we are never alone. [32:38]

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to see God's presence? How can you cultivate a deeper trust in His unseen work today?


Day 5: Worship as a Lifeline in Trials
Worship serves as an anchor in times of fear, overwhelming tasks, or discouragement. It is through worship that we are reminded of our identity in Christ, our joy is renewed, and our hope is strengthened. Worship is not just a ritual but a lifeline that connects us to God's promises and power, enabling us to endure until our faith is turned to sight. In life's challenges, worship becomes a source of strength and a reminder of God's unchanging love and faithfulness. [37:32]

Psalm 42:11 (ESV): "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."

Reflection: When faced with challenges, how can you intentionally use worship as a means to anchor your soul and renew your hope in God?

Quotes

"Ezra focuses in on three things that mattered more than anything else. He focuses on the altar, the feast, and the temple, and all three of these are related to the worship of God's people. When God's people returned to the land, worship was their number one priority, and their worship revolved around the altar, the feast, and the temple." [00:04:32]

"Now first then the altar and the altar speaks to us of offering ourselves to God. Look at chapter three in verse two they built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. Now what is the significance of the altar and of these burnt offerings that were laid on it?" [00:05:24]

"Now there were different kinds of sacrifices that were offered in the Old Testament and here we're told particularly that God's people offered burnt offerings on the altar. Now you can read about the burnt offering in the book of Leviticus and chapter one, and the main points that you'll see there about the burnt offering is that the whole of it was offered to God." [00:06:46]

"And this points us of course to the wonderful fact that when Jesus gave himself for us, nothing was held back, and so when God's people offered the burnt offering, they were really saying to God now you are our God, and we are your people and we are holding nothing back." [00:07:48]

"Now here's why worship matters. In worship we offer ourselves to God, and in worship God assures us that we really are his people and he really is our God. So in worship we gain the strength that we need to face our fears." [00:13:11]

"Here's the second thing, the feast, which speaks to us about rejoicing in what God has done. Look at verse 4 with me for a moment, will you, and they kept the feast of booths as it is written and offered the daily burnt offerings they kept the feast of booths." [00:13:39]

"Now think about this, the feast of booths lasted for seven whole days an entire week, and think about that in the context of everything that God's people had to get done when they arrived in this ruined city of Jerusalem. I mean there was rubble to clear, there was food to supply, there were houses to build, there was a community to structure." [00:16:20]

"Nehemiah crystallized the principle that we're seeing played out here when years later he came with more exiles who returned to Jerusalem, and he said famously the joy of the Lord is your strength. If you're going to sustain the work that you're doing for God, here's how you're going to have to do it, you have to cultivate joy in what God has done for you." [00:18:13]

"Now again the significance of the temple for us today is that this was the place in the Old Testament story where the glory of the presence of the Lord came down. The dedication of Solomon's temple, the first temple to be built, hundreds of years earlier, the dedication of Solomon's temple was without question the high point in the entire Old Testament story." [00:21:40]

"God's people knew that that had happened in the first temple, and they longed that it would happen again. Isaiah chapter 64 and verse 1 really captures this oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the nations might tremble at your presence. Lord come down among us in such an obvious way that even your enemies would be filled with awe and with wonder." [00:23:50]

"Now do you see what this is saying it is very important God is saying to his people now you are not going to experience my presence in a miraculous burst of power and glory as it was experienced in the days of Solomon you will not see the glorious cloud descend so that even the priests cannot stand up and continue their work but I the Lord am with you." [00:31:14]

"Now friends, there are so many practical applications of what we're learning right here let me try and press a couple home to them to you in these last moments. Is there someone here today, and you longed for a miracle that hasn't happened, you had a loved one who was sick, and you prayed for a miraculous healing, but that gift was not given and you're disappointed." [00:33:22]

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Transcript
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